News & Features

Photo: Radek Faksa, the 13th overall pick in 2012, is only the third forward selected in the first round by Dallas since former captain Brenden Morrow was drafted in 1997 (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

Upheaval was required after the Dallas Stars failed to clinch a playoff berth for the fifth consecutive season. General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk fell on the sword despite a plethora of in-season moves that unloaded roster players. Long-time Red Wings Assistant GM Jim Nill came in and dispatched Head Coach Glen Gulutzan as well.

Photo: Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones has been the top-rated defender for the 2013 NHL Draft since the start of the 2012-13 season (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

Here’s a look at our top 10 prospects from the Western Hockey League for the 2013 NHL Draft, a group that includes a very top-heavy batch of elite defensemen. All players in our ranking attended the NHL Combine last month.

Photo: The Sharks selected Czech center Tomas Hertl 17th overall in 2012. Hertl is the only first round pick in the Sharks organization from the last five draft classes (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

Just a day after trading defensemen Douglas Murray to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for draft picks, San Jose Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson made it clear that the team would not be rebuilding like many suspected; it would be refreshing.

Photo: Defenseman Slater Koekkoek was one of two selections the Tampa Bay Lightning made in the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft. (courtesy of CHL Images)

The Tampa Bay Lightning failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season and Head Coach Guy Boucher was eventually relieved of his duties and replaced by Jon Cooper, the coach of the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. Goaltending and defense proved once again to be the team weakness, as they dropped to 14th in the East, and locked up the third overall pick in this June's draft.

Photo: Taylor Hall was the first of three consecutive first overall picks made by the Edmonton Oilers from 2010 to 2012 (courtesy of Vincent Muzik/Icon SMI)

For the first time in four years, the Edmonton Oilers will not be taking the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. Although they failed to make the playoffs for the seventh straight year, the Oilers managed to climb a bit farther up the ladder and landed at 24th in the league after the regular season. Soon after came the dismissal of General Manager Steve Tambellini, only to be replaced by former head coach Craig MacTavish, who is anticipated to make some big changes for the club.